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What I Read This Month: October 2019

October 30, 2019

I’m been really off my game, this month, when it comes to reading. I’ve only finished three books, which is sooo out of character for me! Life simply got in the way. I’ve been really busy with podcast recording, and also had lots of work and social events to keep me occupied during the evenings.

Thankfully the three books that I did read were all really good. Here are my thoughts on each – without any spoilers…

This was the Coco’s Tea Party Book Club read for October, and I throughly enjoyed it. However, I was a little apprehensive when selecting The Testaments – which is, of course, the follow up to The Handmaid’s Tale – as I read Handmaid’s last year and didn’t love it.

Thankfully, I found The Testaments far more captivating, as it was told through three perspectives and had a lot of suspense. The novel is set 15 years after The Handmaid’s Tale, and cracks are beginning to show in the Republic of Gilead. The three women at the centre of The Testaments all play a key role in challenging the oppressive forces that govern Gilead. I thought it was an exciting and really satisfying read.

The Dutch House was one of the most anticipated novels of 2019, and I’d been not-so-patiently awaiting its release for months! And I’m happy to report it didn’t disappoint. It’s the story of two siblings, told through the perspective of the younger brother Danny (FYI Tom Hanks narrates the audiobook as Danny, which is such dreamy casting). Danny and his older sister Mauve are exiled from their lavish family home after their father dies, and their stepmother takes control of the property. The novels spans five decades, and is essentially about Danny and Mauve’s inability to let go of the past. It’s beautifully written, and is an enchanting depiction of sibling relationships.

“On 5 October 2017, the New York Times published an article by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey that helped change the world.”

That article was, of course, the investigation into Harvey Weinstein, which sparked the #MeToo movement. Jodi and Megan have teamed up, once again, for She Said, which is a riveting book that reveals exactly how their investigation came together. For months they were having confidential conversations with A-list actresses, chasing disturbing leads, and trying to convince women to take the risk of going on the record. If you like true crime, Hollywood scandals or investigative reporting, you’re sure to enjoy this book!